Last night at the Dane County Coliseum in Madison the Michigan State
Spartans defeated The Boston University Terriers 3-1, and the University of
Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Clarkson Golden Knights 7-1, in what
apparently were exhibition hockey games.
 
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting today that Jack Parker objected
to the plan that the games in the inaugural Ice Breaker tournament would
count in the teams won-loss record but not count against the maximum 34
games allowed by the NCAA. Earlier the NCAA had granted the Ice Breaker
tournament exempt status.
 
Parker reportedly said that when the contract for the tournamnet was signed
it was under the understanding that this was an exhibition tournament. The
Journal Sentinel says that Parker said his Terriers, who practiced for just
5 days before the tournament, did not prepare for the idea that the games
would count (How do you do that?).
 
Prior to Friday's games Parker said that the four coaches (Parker, Sauer,
Mason and Morris) met and agreed to recommend that the games be treated as
exhibition games. The issue is going before the championships committee of
the NCAA for a ruling. The ruling is not expected for a couple of months.
 
Well, given their performance, I understand Parker's concern. I saw the
last two periods of the BU-MSU game. MSU played a very good defensive
hockey game and waited for their chances. They received outstanding
goaltending. BU looked a little complacent showing just flashes of their
speed and offensive capabilities. BU scored a late third period power play
goal to avert the shutout.
 
In the UW-Clarkson game, Clarkson scored a ppg at the 12:20 mark of the
first period. The Badgers looked particularly inept on that penalty kill.
That was to be their only letdown. Wisconsin came back to tie with a late
ppg of their own with 0:35 remaining in the first by Joe Bianchi.
 
The second period was all Wisconsin. At 6:45 TR Moreau gave the Badgers the
lead for good with a ppg. Just 17 seconds later, with the "Seive" still in
full force, Steve Reinprecht gave the Badgers a two goal cushion. Clarkson
coach Mark Morris pulled starting goalie Dan Murphy in favor of Christian
Marois. However, the goal scoring barage continued, Kevin Granato scored
after just 57 seconds when the puck bounced of the back of Marois' leg into
the net. Clarkson called a time out and Murphy was back in net.
 
The Badgers rounded out the scoring with their fourth second period goal
and a couple of third period tallies. In all it was a dominant performance
by a team that was a real question mark coming into this season. There was
an intensity about the Badgers that was missing during last season's slide.
 
Freshman Kevin Granato, of the prolific hockey family so familiar to Badger
faithful, scored two goals in his Badger debut. Junior defenseman Craig
Anderson was impressive with his play from the point especially on the
man-advantage. His slapper is reminiscent of Badger great Mark Oseicki.
 
A great start for the Badgers. Even though it might not count, it was an
important win for a program trying to return to excellence.
 
Mike Blanchard
On, Wisconsin!
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.